A Breakfast with Norman Dewis

Una and I decided to attend our first JCNA AGM at Pittsburg for a number of reasons, most importantly to see our very own VJC member Dr. Ron Gaertner receive a national Concours award for his exquisite XK 120 coupe. Also we have friends in sister clubs who were attending, including current JCNA secretary Sherman (and wife) Camellia Taffel, and Victor and Michelle Dawson of the NCJOC, and Jerry and Naomi Ellison, Ron Kuligowski and Frank Zefferelli of the CJC.

We knew that Norman Dewis was the AGM featured speaker, but were somewhat gobsmacked to find him at our breakfast table on the first morning. We had a very nice and leisurely chat over bacon and eggs, it turned out that Norman lived in Church Stretton, Shropshire, just round the corner from Una's family who live near Ludlow. It would have been rude to have whipped out pencil and paper to record our conversation, but here are some highlights from breakfast, and from Norman's Q&A session at the AGM later in the day.

Norman was born opposite the Humber factory in Coventry, started work at Humber at fourteen, then was accepted into the apprentice training program at Lea- Francis. He joined the Auxiliary RAF to earn a few extra bob on weekends, and was promptly called up in September 1939. His jockey physique and reflexes led to his becoming an air gunner on the obsolete Blenheim bomber, usually a guarantee for a short life. Norman survived the war, rejoined Lea- Francis, then left to join Jaguar in 1952. He asked interviewer Bill Haynes for a two pound a week starting raise, was told the 'Old Man' (the frugal Lyons) wouldn't go for it, but was hired as chief test engineer at the height of the glory days at Jaguar.

Norman was immediately involved in developing and testing the disc braked C and D types and was soon recognised as a skilled driver. His record 174 mph run in the streamlined XK 120 at Jabbeke is now legendary, Norman was crammed under the sailplane bubble canopy by replacing the seat with a bit of foam. The canopy distorted his view down the narrow autobahn , made more dangerous by illegal spectators. His reward was a brief 'Good show, Dewis', from the Old Man, Lyons being frugal with compliments and first names. He was notorious for turning off lights at work and home, and even left Norman with the champagne bill at a Jaguar reception in France (I don't have any money, take care of it, Dewis). However he attracted a small team of loyal, outstanding and underpaid men who created miracles under his leadership. Norman played a central role in developing Jaguar's vital range of Marl 1 and 2 saloons and their variants, and of course the E type and the early XJ6. He stayed with Jaguar through the dark days of Leyland.

Norman recounted how he sneaked the mothballed and untested XJ13 out of the works one Sunday against Lyons' orders. He got it up to 165 mph at the MIRA track. There were a few tense moments when Lyons found out. Norman was subsequently asked by Lyons to take it out to the track for a photo shoot at speed. A wheel broke on the banking on the last lap, and the car tumbled on the muddy infield. Norman escaped with bruises, he said he just crouched under the dash, it was useful to be small as there were no seat belts in those days. Norman had many other stories, you can read them in the recent book about him authored by Paul Skilleter. I managed to acquire one at the AGM before they sold out and Norman personalised it with his signature.

This was truly a breakfast to remember.